Poll shows 43% of Americans now view socialism positively

A new poll indicates that 43% of Americans currently hold a positive view of socialism, with 65% of Democrats sharing that sentiment. Jonathan Turley, author of Rage and the Republic, argues in a Fox News opinion piece that this shift reflects a generational disconnect from the historical failures of socialist and communist systems.

Turley notes that figures such as Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America are promoting narratives centered on the "warmth of collectivism" and the end of capitalism. These proposals frame food, education, energy, medicine, and transportation as common goods. The author contends that many voters are accepting this pitch despite living in one of the world's most prosperous nations.

The timing of this political trend coincides with the 250th anniversary of both the Declaration of Independence and the publication of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations. Turley draws a parallel between Smith’s economic theories and the American revolution against mercantilism, suggesting that Smith viewed capitalism as a system that liberates individuals by providing resources to pursue self-determination. Conversely, Turley states that Smith viewed government controls and subsidies as forms of suppression that can lead to dependency.

In his book, Turley compares current socialist proposals to policies of the Jacobin movement during the French Revolution. He argues that both movements sought to replace moderating institutions, such as the Senate and independent judiciary, with a unicameral system and democratically elected officials. Turley asserts that the DSA is a direct descendant of the Jacobins in this regard. He further notes that the individuals driving these changes are primarily professors, pundits, and young college-educated voters rather than the working class.

Turley also cites another poll suggesting that roughly 60% of Democrats responded positively to the idea of a military coup to remove President Donald Trump. He contrasts the outcome of the American revolution, which established the world's oldest democracy, with the French revolution, which led to the Reign of Terror.

The article references international examples of socialist policy failures, including the government of François Mitterrand in France and recent comments by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Britain. Burnham criticized Margaret Thatcher’s privatization policies for exposing people to higher costs, but Turley points out that Thatcher implemented those policies following the economic collapse under Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan during the 1977-78 winter of discontent. Turley concludes by quoting Karl Marx’s observation that history repeats itself, first as a tragedy and second as a farce.